Snap ring socket



' April 14, 1942. n. l. REITER- SNAP RING- SOCKET F'led April 17, 1Q4l 110000 I I, l .`i

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNirED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 17,

li) Claims.

This invention relates to snap fastener sockets and particularly to the type provided with a resilient wire ring and which is secured to one face of a sheet of material by a cap arranged on the other face of the sheet.

With the more extensive use of snap fasteners in washable garments and at places in garments designed to sustain considerable tension, as in waist bands where considerable side pull is applied to the separable snap fastener parts tending to separate them, former types of snap fasteners have proved to be inadequate to hold the fastener parts together under the comparatively high stresses present and to withstand the effects of laundering and pressing the garment. The comparatively high pressures necessary when the garment is pressed, frequently distorts the snap fastener socket to such an extent as to render it useless for its intended purpose. Furthermore, high tension on the respective parts to which the stud and socket of the fastener are attached tends to open the fastener or to distort the socket so that it does not properly engage and hold the stud in place.

My invention therefore contemplates the provision of a snap fastener socket lhaving a resilient stud-engaging wire ring and ring-holding parts so shaped, constructed and mutually reinforced as to enable the fastener to withstand the stresses to which lthe socket is subjected when in use and the additional distorting stresses put on the socket when the garment to which it is applied is laundered or pressed.

My invention further contemplates the provi-- sion of a socket having a bracing and protect-- ing member which protects the resilient ring of the socket against distortion, and, which also adequately holds the ring in placev while having the additional function of cooperating with. the ring-holding parts of the socket to resist the stresses to which the gar-ment is subjected in the course of wear, laundering or pressing.

My invention further contemplates the provision 0f a socket having a protected stud-engaging ring designed to fit the stud closely7 and thereby to attain a strong holding action.

The various objects of the invention will be clear from the description which follows and from the drawing, in which, l

Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section and vpartial elevation of my improved socket as it appears when applied to a sheet of material forming part of a garment, and showing the cooperating stud secured to another part of the garment.,

1941, Serial No. 388,962

(,Cl. Zl--ZlllY and engaged by a socket ring of elliptical cross. section.

Fig. 24 is a similar view of a mod` ed formy of the invention wherein a ring of circular crosssection is shown.

Fig. 3 is a similar fragmentary view of another i modified formof the invention, the ring show beingfof oval cross-section.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of still another modilll. lied form of the invention, wherein the holding prongs are provided on the ring-holding" ele'- modified form of the ring-holding parts. I,

Fig. 8 is a similar section of another modified 2Q form .of the socket.

In the practical embodiment of the invention i which I have shown by way ofA example, and referring particularly to Fig. l, the socket, is secured to a portion I0 of a garment by means 2z of a suitable cap II here shown as` provided' with bendable fingers which pass through the garment part and hold the inner socket part yin place. The stud-engaging ring I3 is pref'- erably of the circular open end or split type,l fSIrthat. is,` with its ends in slight spaced relation to permit its expansion and contraction under the pressure of a stud forced into the socket or withdrawn therefrom. Said ring is .prefers ably'made of a length of wire bent into circular 3m form` andA arranged loosely in the socket to per` mit its free expansion and contraction. As shown, the wire is of elliptical cross-section to lit a corresponding recess in the stud and to obtain a. more greatly accentuated snap4 `and 4er holding, action. l v

The cap II, in the form now being; described, comprises an outer annular or flat ring portion I4 designed to engage one face of the garment part I Il, and a series of. separated lingers I5 ed designed t0 pierce the garment and to be bent outwardly and [upwardly to secure the socket Y against the other face` of the garment when the cap and ring-holding part are pressed axially toward each other. When s-o pressed,y the finsogers I5 enter the space I1 between the curved outermost wall I8 and the wall I9 of the inner ring-holding member 20, the fingers being spread and bent by said member, following the curv 0f the Wall I8.

55' Preferably the Wall I9 projectsinwardly and upwardly from the inner edge of the wall I8 and is arranged coaxially thereof though shaped differently therefrom. Depending integrally from the inner end of the wall I9, is the innermost wall 2I' of the member 20, said wall terminating at its lower edge in an upright or cylindrical4 portion 22 arranged outwardly beyond the ring I3 and of somewhat greater height than that of the ring. The upper part of the wall 2I V,inwardly overhangs the ring I3 to aline above the circular axis of the ring. -It will be'under- Vstood that the wall 2I is properly shaped to provide suicient space for the reception of the I have shown my improved socket adapted for head of the stud in the socket,` the constricted neck of the studV receiving the ring I3, which separably holds the stud against accidental `dis-V i placement or separation from the socket until the resilient ring 30 made of wire of circular the parts are deliberately separated by Yrelative axial movement thereof. It will also benoted that an intermediate part of the wall 2l 1s 1n contact' with an adjacent part of the Wall I9,

whereby any outward pressure upon the saidwal132I is resisted by the wallj I9 and -by the bentportions of the ngers I5, so that said walls are mutually bracing. g

. Thesubrstantially cylindrical wall part 22 is by itselfi inadequate to hold the ring I3 inplaceexcept against upward and outward movement. Consequently, the outer or cover member 23, havingthecentral stud-receiving opening 24, is provided-to complete the socket, to protect the ring I3 and thewalls 2I and I8, and to strengthen and reinforce -the socket against the stresses which result from laundering and pressing and also. from stresses put upon .thesocketduring the use thereof. Said member 423 is of substantially U-shaped cross-section, having an upstanding rim or peripheral outer portion curved about the wall I8 toa suicient extent to hold it securely in place. The inner or central portion25 of said;

member is flat and engagesthe lowermost edge of the wall 2 I.v and projectsinwardly therepast to ai. point below the circular axis of the ring I3. Said inner portion 25 therefore serves as an adequate protector. to prevent distortion of the wall 2I' and particularly of thelower part 22 thereof and; also serves'v to conne the ring I3 in place.

use with an eyelet form of holding member or clap. This requires a change in the form of the inner ring-holding member. I have also shown cross-section. The outer ring-holding member `3l is provided with an inner at part 25a similar tothe part of the socket shown in Fig. 1 hereinbefore described, and serving substantially thejsamelpurpose. ,The outer rim part 32 of said i member 3I is shaped to fit and engage the curved part 33 `ofthe inner ring-holding member, said inner'` member having `a Vwall I9a similar to the wall I9 shown in Fig.,1 and a ywall 2Ia similar to the wall2I shown in the socketof Fig. 1. The lower part `22a of the'wall 2Ia is substantially cylindrical [and straight and is covered by the inner Apart 25a 'of the member 3| and braced thereby,the part. 25a extending inwardly past the part 22a., all as has been previously explained in connection with the socket shown in Fig. 1.

'Howevenin place ofthe wall I 8, there is provided in ,this form yof the invention, an upright wall portion 34jc1osed bya substantially horizontal top 35 arranged at substantially right angles to the wall rpart 34andprovided with a central opening V36 for, the passage therethrough of the eyeletl. Said eyelet clamps the cap 38 in place to @one faceof the sheet I0 and passes through the sheet and through the opening 36 in the top wall 35, to 'f berlanged intor a'suitable recess in I said top ,wallisurrounding the opening 36.

Preferably/,thepart 25 is horizontal or substan" tially perpendicular to the axisof the socket.

The 4pressure of a pressing or ironing member on` the part 25 does not bend'said partbecause of the support given thereto by` the Aportion 22 of` the ring-.holding member.

fingers I5 and .theiouter part ofthe member 23. `It will be noted thatlbecauseofthe peculiar cross-sectional shape of the ring I3, it resists expansion to a greater extent than would a ring of circular cross-section. It will further be noted that the ring I3V enters into the constrictedneck recess or groove-in the stud to a greater extent Similarly, the ring-holding-memberis not distorted because of. the re-` inforcement ofthe wall 2| by the wall rI9,` the,

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3,

' the ring-holding parts are made similar to those shown `in Fig. 1, but the ring r40 is shown as made of wire of 'oval cross-section and the cap 39 is provided with a"closingportion connecting the outer peripheral edges of the ilange Ida, which is substantially identical with the flange I4 shown in Fig. .1.'

In' the lform of the invention shown in Figs, 4, 5, and 6, the outer member 23h of the socket is provided with a curvedouter rim or'outstanding than'woulda 'ring of round wire. Consequently,

the holding action on the stud is increased as is` the resistance lto separation of the studfrom the socket. 'Sidevpull onthe stud or socket cannot -separatejthexrl,y 'not only because of the better holding'action'of airing ofV non-circular crosssection, A'but also because the parts-cannotyba` distorted to permit undue distortion ofthe ring and lossof holding power. It will be understood,

however, that rings of any desired cross-section may'also bevused in the various socketss'hown in place of the rings of round wire illustrated, {provided thatthe cross-sectionis s'uiiiciently wide,

peripheral .portion'be'nt around the correspondinglycurved portion 45 `oi the cooperating rin'gholding member, the portion 46 extending inwardly andupwardly asa conical wall holding the ring 4l' in place against upward' and outward movement, whilethe inner part 25h of the other ring-holdingimember 23D serves to hold the ring against; downward displacement. Extending upwardly yfrom the outeredgeof the wall part 45 alie the `SPCtC,prongs-48 passing through the sheet vIII and `into engagement with thewall 49 of the cap member 5I), to be bent thereby when the cap member and the socket are forced toward. each other, therebyto hold'the socket to the sheet. Consequently, only one inner Wall is provided in this form, though the double thicknesses of material are provided elsewhere where needed; "i

the "inner ring-holdingfmember Vdisclosed in Figs.

if-'5A and?, 'the Wall 45a isbent inwardly to conform more nearly to the shape of the ring 4T, instead of being made conical as is shown n Figs. 4. and 6.

In the form of the socket shown in Fig.. 8, part. of the outermost wall I8 shown. in Fig. 1 is4 omitted, and the ring is shown as of circular cross-section, but: the socket is otherwise substantially the same as thatv shown in Fig. 1. The cap Il is` provided with the fingers I as previouslydescribed, butY the inner socket memberl 55 terminates at an outer edge 5.6 adjacent the flat portion 51 of the outer ring-holding member 53. Said inner socket member includes the contacting andk mutually bracing Walls |911 and 2lb similar to the walls I94 and 2l previously described', which Walls arel joinediby the bend 59. The member 58 iscontinued outwardly substantially past. the edge 5H of the wall |919 to a height about equal to the height of the walls lb and 2lb, thereby to present a smooth outer surface on the socket instead of the two parts shown in the modifications hereinbefore described. The wall 2lb is nevertheless ade.- quately protected and braced and the ring 3312 is also. protected against permanent deformation.

It will be seen that I have provided a ringholding socket wherein the ring-holding parts are in engagement with each other and bent. in such a manner that the edges thereof are protected against undue distortion such as might cause distortion of the ring and failure thereof to hold the stud under the various stresses put upon the socket, and that. two mutually bracing thicknesses of material are provided where the stresses upon the socket are greatest.

While I have shown and described certain specinc embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, but intend to claim the invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a resilient snap fastener socket, a resilient ring, and a pair of cooperating annular and, coaxialiy arranged ring-holding members, the inner of said members having an inner vwall terminating in a lowermost edge part of greater diameter than that of the upper part of said Wall, said inner member having an outer annular wall, the outer of said members having a curved outer peripheral. part retaining the outer wall4 of the inner member in place, the outer member having an inner at part substantially perpendicular to the axes of said members and extending inwardly past the lowermost edge part of the inner member and in contact therewith, the ring being arranged above said flat part and between the iiat part and the upper part of the inner wall of the inner member, said walls being in radial spaced relation and of different crosssectional shapes, the outer wall of the inner member being in contact with the outer member at least at the outer peripheral portion of said iiat part to form two thicknesses of material at said peripheral portion.

2. In a resilient snap fastener socket, a resilient open-ended wire ring, a pair of cooperating annular and coaxially arranged members having their outer peripheral parts in contact to provide two thicknesses of material, said members cooperating to hold the ring in position for the expansion and contraction thereof under the pressure of a cooperating stud, each of the members having a central stud-receiving opening perforate, the inner of. the .membershaving at least two co-axially arrangedI and, diierently shaped. walls at least in. part. in spaced relation and joined .at adjacentedges thereof byV acontinuous annular bend subtending an angle of approximately 180,o to form. a reverse fold, the inner `of the; wallsterminating-in a freeedge opposite the bend and being; shaped'toprovide a lowermost part. of greaterI diameter arranged entirely outwardly of the. ring, land anuppermost part of lesser diameter inwardly overhanging the ring, the other of the membersbeingof substantially U-shaped cross-section having a central iiat` part extending past .and in contact with the adjacentv part of the inner wall of the inner member and directly below the ring.

3-111 a resilient socket,` an open. ended ring of Wire having a non-circular cross-section,V the Width of the wire in the general plane ofthe ring being greater than its height, and means for holding the ring in place comprising a pair of cooperating annular members, one ofv said members being of generally U-shaped cross-section provided with aiiat part. surrounding a central opening therein and with an upstanding outery rim, the inner peripheral part oi said one member adjacent the opening being arranged directly below the ring to retain the ring within the socket, and the other of said members having a plurality of co-axial but differently shaped walls, the innermost of Vsaid Walls having an upper part inwardly overhangng the ring to the same extent as the, iiat part of said one member, I

said inner wall having a lower part arranged outwardly of the ring and. inwardly of the outer peripheral edge of the flat part. of said one member.

4. In a resilient socket, a resilient ring, and a pair of cooperating annular bent sheet metal members to retain the ring in place, said members having central stud-receiving openings therein for the. passage, oi a studinto engagement with the ring, the outer. of said members being of generally U-shaped' cross-section having an upstanding curved rim and a substantially horizontal flat central part, the innermost peripheral edge portion of said' flat: part engaging the outer part of the ring, the other Yof said members having three co-axial walls, each of the walls being shaped dilerently from the other walls, the outermost wall being curved into engagement with the upstanding rim of said one member and being spaced from the adjacent wall sufciently to receive the bendable ingers of a holding cap, said next adjacent wall being joined to the innermost wall by an integral bend at the adjacent uppermost edges thereof, the innermost wall having thev upper part thereof overhanging the outer part of the ring and having a cylindrical lowermost part; arranged entirely outwardly of the ring and terminating in a free edge in contact with the flat part of said one member.

5. In a resilient socket, a resilient ring, and a pair of ring-holding members, the outer parts of said members being in contact to form two thicknesses of material at the outer periphery of the socket, the inner part of one of the members being arranged below the ring and being substantially iiat and the inner part of the other member comprising a pair of co-axial walls, the innermost of the walls terminating in a cylindrical part arranged outside of the ring and therein and being otherwise. continuous andim.- Y

having a free edge in contact with the inner flat part of said one memben'the upper part of said innermost wally inwardlyioverhanging the ring.

6. `A snap fastener socket installation comprising a. resilient ring, a. pair of` cooperating and mutually bracing annular ring-holding members, one `of said members being `of substantially U-shaped cross-section-having an upstanding rim portion and a central A:dat portion extending inwardly pastthe louter part of the ring. underneaththe ring, the othermember having a conical inner Wall adapted to limit theupward and outward movementkof therring and arranged inside of said one member, said other `member having an outerwall curved to engage Vthe inner face oisaid rimand having upstanding spaced prongs, and` a cap member .provided with an anvil wall adapted tolbend said prongs outwardly when theA capand the ymembers are pressed toward eachother with a sheet of fabric therebetween. Y ,7. In a resilient snap fastener socket installation, Va resilient ring, a pair of cooperating and mutually bracingannular ring-holding members, one of said members being of substantially U-shaped cross-section vhaving an upstanding rim portion and a central flat portion extending inwardly .past the outer part of the ring underneath the ring, the other member having aninnermost wall terminating in a free edge portion arranged outwardly of the ring and an upperportion inwardly overhangingthe ring, a second wall joined by a bend to said upper portion, and arranged outwardly thereof,.a third outer wall curved to t the rim and having `a recessed top provided with acentral eyelet opening, a cap and an eyelet engaging the cap passling through the eyeletopening and through a sheet of fabric andanged to the underv sid of said top.

8. .In a resilient socket, a resilient ring and a pair of separate annular ring-holding 'members overlapping inpart ,on` each other, the remaining part of said members being in spaced relation to each other, theouter parts of said members being in contact `to form two` thicknesses of material adjacent theouter periphery of the socket, the innerA part of one of the members being arrangedbelownthe ring,v and the inner part of the Vother member comprising a wall arranged coaxially of-and in spaced relation to the outer part of said one of the members and of a different `cross-sectional shape than the cross-sectional shape of the outer part of ,said

vone of the members, said wall terminating in a partl arranged outside of the ring and having a free edge in contact with the inner part of said onemember, the uppermost-partei said wall inwardly overhanging the ring.

9. In a resilient socket, a resilient ring, and means .for holding the` ring in place comprising a pair of .cooperating annular members, one of said members being of generally U-shaped crosssection providedwith a central part surrounding a central opening and with an upstanding outer rim,- the inner. peripheral part of said one member adjacent the opening being arranged. directly below the ring to retain the ring within thesocket and therother of said members having a plurality of coaxial, but differently shapedvwalls, the outermost of said walls being in outward spaced' relation to the adjacent inner wall,vsaid outermost wall `and said inner wall having the lowermost parts thereof arrangedat substantially thesame level, the innermost of said walls having an upper part inwardly overhanging the ring to the same extent as ,the central part of said onemember, said innermost wall having a lower part arranged outwardly of the ring and inwardly of the outer peripheral edge of the central part of said one member.

beingarranged directly below the ring to retain the ring within the socket, and the other of said members having a plurality of coaxially arranged, but differently shaped walls, the innermost of said walls being in inward spaced relation to the outermost of said walls and havf ing an upper part inwardly overhanging the ring to the same extent as that part of said one of the members surrounding the opening, said innermost wall having a part arranged outwardly ofthe ring and outwardly of the edge of said one opening.

DANIEL I. REITER. 

